Bored, or boring? Interested, or interesting? Help!
by Jason Catizone on 07/18/24
Many of my students have trouble selecting between words such as bored and boring, interested and interesting, and so on. But this kind of thing is important to learn, because if you make a mistake, it can sound quite funny to native speakers.
For example, if you felt boredom while watching a movie, you would say, "I was bored," not, "I was boring." If you mistakenly say that you are boring, native speakers may laugh, because what you are actually saying is that your character / personality is not interesting!
So, how do you know which ending to use, "ed," or "ing?"
I also study other languages, and when I am having trouble remembering something in another language, I look for a little trick to help me remember. And so, for students who confused these kinds of "ed" and "ing" endings in English, I came up with a little trick to help you know which word to use.
Think of the "e" in "ed" ending as meaning receives, and think of the "i" in the "ing" ending as meaning gives. "E" for receives, and "i" for gives.
In other words, the subject ("John" for example) plus an "ed" ending ("is bored" for example) means that John receives the feeling of boredom.
But the subject ("John" for example) plus an "ing" ending ("is boring" for example) means that John gives the feeling of boredom.
Make sense?
Let's look at a few more examples to help you better understand.
I am confused. = I receive confusion.
I am confusing. = I give confusion.
Sheila is interested. = Sheila receives interest.
Sheila is interesting. = Sheila gives interest.
So, remember: "I am bored" and "I am boring" carry two totally different meanings.
Just remember that this kind of "ed" ending means that the subject receives. And this kind of "ing" ending means that the subject gives. In other words, "I am bored because math is boring!" This means that I receive boredom because math gives boredom.
I hope this helps you!
Share this article with your friends if you think that it can help them too.
Thanks!
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